MCCSM provides training and resources to help accelerate effective adoption of social media in health care. Social Media Week on our Mayo Clinic Campus in Rochester, Minn. is June 15-18, 2015.

Through its Social Media Health Network, MCCSM provides an opportunity for health-related organizations to learn together and share best practices. Members get discounts or free admission to events like Social Media Week. See our list of current members and how to join.

To claim your organization’s profile on the Health Care Social Media List or to submit a new listing, use this easy online form.

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Life is not about the steps you’ve taken, or the places you’ve been, it’s about the footprints you leave behind. My name is Cindy AKA @MyelomaTeacher and I hope the digital footprints I leave behind help a future generation of myeloma warriors become empowered patients. July 14, 2014 was my 6 year Cancerversary.

I have grown tremendously as a person over these six years. Six years ago I was an uneducated/uninvolved patient who blindly followed doctor’s orders. I didn’t ask questions, research my conditions or seek second opinions. Today I am an empowered patient and an active participant in my healthcare. I attribute social media as being a major impetus for my metamorphosis. I learned through listservs, blogs, Facebook, forums, teleconferences and Twitter.

I was diagnosed with myeloma after being misdiagnosed with degenerative disc disease for two years. My orthopedic doctor prescribed pain medications and countless sessions of physical therapy to help with the debilitating pain I was experiencing, but I wasn’t getting better. I was getting worse. I remember thinking “Maybe my doctor should take an x-ray” (which he never did in the two years I was seeing him), but I didn’t speak up. I didn’t trust my instincts.

By the time I was diagnosed with myeloma my bones were a mess. I had compression fractures, suffered from osteoporosis and I had loss over 3 inches in height. I started treatment immediately (without asking questions), but unfortunately I stopped responding to induction therapy after 4 cycles. I proceeded to have a stem cell transplant upon my myeloma specialist’s recommendation. My transplant failed to put me into remission and 100 days post-transplant I was back in treatment. By then I was actively researching protocols available to me, seeking second opinions and learning about clinical trials. Social media was my teacher.

I am now in l remission on continuous maintenance therapy and very active in the myeloma community. Being an educator my entire life it is only fitting that I use my passion for teaching to share what I have learned and continue to learn about the importance of patient empowerment, available resources, advocacy and research to a new group of students –patients, caregivers, doctors and anyone who will listen.

As a MM patient, I am continually educated by Cindy via twitter. I value the information she shares, whether about clinical trials, research, new drugs that have been approved, or a positive response to a query I have. She rocks!

Thanks so much for this Cindy. You are a true teacher - learning every day and teaching others what you learn. I admire you and wish you all the best! And indeed, social media is a wonderful method - far reaching and cost effective!

Our support group in Philadelphia has benefitted so much from your commitment to communication and outreach through social media. We are all better informed, new patients find us and can gain support through your postings and you are constantly helping us to explore new ways to benefit from social media. You are a born teacher, Cindy!

Cindy,
I love your level of enthusiasm. And the MMSM chat system you created along with Dr. Thompson is a great interactive discussion format. I like it a lot. Your efforts likely have contributed to the huge increase of myeloma dialogue via social media.

thanks for the all the work you do posting on various social media accounts with very helpful links on myeloma and what is happening in the field. Your efforts make a difference and help us become more informed patients.

There are lessons to be learned for all of us from Cindy's incredible journey. She is a true teacher in every sense of the word. I do not ever hesitate anymore asking my doctor questions. Cindy has taught me to be informed, always. Keep up the great work you do, connecting with people. You have always had that kindness within your heart and soul. Your strength is truly admired by this girl!

Cindy, Best of luck and they can only benefit by placing you in this position... your intelligence and experience can only help others to ask more questions...and be more active in their care.... and I believe this is your therapy ... sometimes when it is so important to help others we forget about our pain and misery...thus we become better at controlling illnesses ... You Life-time friend ... Debby Frank Glennon

Knowing you as a teacher both in the traditional classroom and in the Myleoma community, I cannot imagine anyone more passionate and qualified for this scholarship, Cindy. You give hope, inspiration and information to so many people in so many ways. Love you!

Cindy is an inspiration! A teacher leading by example...the information and support she provides is better than you get direct from your doc (I know, we share the same doc!) She's a huge resource and would be a great addition to any program you're offering.

I couldn't think of a better candidate for this program than the Myeloma Teacher! Cindy has been a source of inspiration and education for Myeloma patients. Her constant positive attitude is what first drew me to her. Her presence on social media is a comfort for all of us. Cindy - I don't know how I would have gotten through my first few months of this without you and I know I can count on you to help me through the next few as well. Keep on doin' what you're doin'!

I was diagnosed with myeloma 3 years ago. I discovered other myeloma patients through twitter. Cindy was the first person i began to follow regularly. Her positive attitude, understanding of the disease and support are all amazing and so critical to me continuing to thrive. I've learned a lot from Cindy and consider her the absolute perfect person for this opportunity.